If you’re looking for STEM projects for kids to help instil a love for learning in your students and/or children while helping to build their confidence, creativity, innovative and critical thinking skills, and encouraging them to work collaboratively with their peers, this post is for you! We’ve rounded up 41 ideas below, including science projects for elementary school kids, STEM activities for middle school children, and higher level thinking STEM projects for kids in high school.
What Is STEM?
Simply put, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, but STEM education goes above and beyond simply teaching these 4 subjects to students. It’s a multifaceted approach to learning that develops a child’s problem solving and critical thinking skills while also encouraging creativity, communication, and teamwork. STEM activities are designed to combine lessons from all 4 subjects and apply them to real life problems and situations.
Why Is STEM Education Important?
Science, technology, engineering, and math are the foundation of so many important jobs in the workforce, yet research continues to show that only a small percentage of students show an interest in and have the skills needed to pursue a STEM-based career. By exposing children to the foundations of STEM education early on and continuing to build upon these principals and interests throughout their schooling years, educators hope to see an increase in new graduates who are qualified and passionate about STEM-related jobs.
8 Benefits of STEM Education
- Encourages higher level thinking
- Prepares children for advancements in technology
- Applies learning and knowledge to real-world situations
- Teaches children how to work collaboratively
- Encourages innovative and creative thinking
- Provides opportunities for failure in a safe environment
- Instills creativity
- Exposes children to career paths they may otherwise not consider
15 STEM Projects for Kids in Elementary School
STEM Jellybean Structures | The STEM Laboratory
STEM Activities with Pencils | JDaniel’s4 Mom
STEM Bucket Towers | Teachers Pay Teachers
Hot Chocolate Science | Creative Family Fun
STEM Foosball Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
The Blow-Cup Challenge | Erintegration
Marbles and Play Dough STEM Challenge | Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Roller Coasters STEM Project | Teachers Are Terrific
Paper Airplanes STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
STEM Flood Barriers | Teachers Are Terrific
How Strong Is Spaghetti? STEM Challenge | Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Lemon Battery STEM Challenge | Coffee Cups and Crayons
STEM Challenge Newton’s Cradle | Teachers Pay Teachers
Space Rocket STEM Activity | Rainy Day Mum
3 Simple STEM Boats | Instructables
15 STEM Projects for Kids in Middle School
DIY Smart Phone Projector | The STEM Laboratory
STEM Balloon Cars | Teachers Are Terrific
Water Cycle STEM Models | Sarah’s STEM Stuff
Space Lander Mission STEM Challenge | Vivify STEM Education
Electricity STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
STEM Ski Life Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Paper Airplane Launcher | Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion STEM Egg Car Project | Teachers Pay Teachers
Cup Holder STEM Challenge | Homeschool Creations
Windmill STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Marshmallow Challenge | DigitalLesson.com
Catapults STEM Challenge | Vivify STEM Education
Ferris Wheel STEM Challenge | Teachers Are Terrific
Science Sound Wave Experiment | Discover Learn Connect
Water Bottle Flip STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
11 STEM Projects for Kids in High School
Electricity STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Geometry Roller Coaster Project | Teaching High School Math
Forensic Science STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Energy Transfer STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Milk Sickness STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Sense of Taste STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Naked Eggs STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Design an Artificial Ecosystem | Teachers Pay Teachers
Mars Colony STEM Project | Teachers Pay Teachers
Quadratic Catapult STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
STEM Egg Drop Contest | Teachers Pay Teachers
I hope these STEM projects for kids helps in your quest to instil a love for learning in your students and/or children while also helping to build their creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills!
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